We get it, networking can be SCARY. Walking into a room filled with strangers is overwhelming for most people, and while it might be tempting to put on a mask to cope, it might actually be doing you more harm than good.

“There’s no need to pretend to be someone you’re not. You will always meet more successful types, overachievers, and incredibly interesting people, so the best thing to do is to just be yourself,” Ms Brookes says.

“People buy off people, so if you want your new contacts to work with you, make sure you show them the real you.

And if you’re the introverted type who hates networking (hands up, me!), Virginia says the easiest fix is to introduce yourself to just one other person who is in the same boat as you.

“The easiest way to crack the crowd is to walk up to someone else that is standing alone and introduce yourself.

"They will be so relieved that someone has spoken to them and it instantly takes you from standing alone swirling your drink to looking like you’re well connected.”